catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Road \Road\ (r[=o]), n. [AS. r[=a]d a riding, that on which one
     rides or travels, a road, fr. r[=i]dan to ride. See Ride,
     and cf. Raid.]
     1. A journey, or stage of a journey. [Obs.]
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              With easy roads he came to Leicester. --Shak.
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     2. An inroad; an invasion; a raid. [Obs.] --Spenser.
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     3. A place where one may ride; an open way or public passage
        for vehicles, persons, and animals; a track for travel,
        forming a means of communication between one city, town,
        or place, and another.
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              The most villainous house in all the London road.
                                                    --Shak.
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     Note: The word is generally applied to highways, and as a
           generic term it includes highway, street, and lane.
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     4. [Possibly akin to Icel. rei[eth]i the rigging of a ship,
        E. ready.] A place where ships may ride at anchor at some
        distance from the shore; a roadstead; -- often in the
        plural; as, Hampton Roads. --Shak.
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              Now strike your saile, ye jolly mariners,
              For we be come unto a quiet rode [road]. --Spenser.
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     On the road, or Uponthe road, traveling or passing over a
        road; coming or going; traveling; on the way.
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              My hat and wig will soon be here,
              They are upon the road.               --Cowper.
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     Road agent, a highwayman, especially on the stage routes of
        the unsettled western parts of the United States; -- a
        humorous euphemism. [Western U.S.]
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              The highway robber -- road agent he is quaintly
              called.                               --The century.
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     Road book, a guidebook in respect to roads and distances.
        
  
     road kill See roadkill in the vocabulary.
  
     Road metal, the broken, stone used in macadamizing roads.
        
  
     Road roller, a heavy roller, or combinations of rollers,
        for making earth, macadam, or concrete roads smooth and
        compact. -- often driven by steam.
  
     Road runner (Zo["o]l.), the chaparral cock.
  
     Road steamer, a locomotive engine adapted to running on
        common roads.
  
     To go on the road, to engage in the business of a
        commercial traveler. [Colloq.]
  
     To take the road, to begin or engage in traveling.
  
     To take to the road, to engage in robbery upon the
        highways.
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     Syn: Way; highway; street; lane; pathway; route; passage;
          course. See Way.
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